Huntington Times

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the creation of the ZMM Architects and Engineers Scholarship, endowed with $120,000 by ZMM Architects and Engineers. This scholarship aims to support engineering students from West Virginia. The announcement was made at an event in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall at Marshall University in Huntington, where representatives from ZMM Architects and Engineers, Marshall University, and the Marshall University Foundation discussed the scholarship's potential impact on local students and workforce development.

The scholarship is part of the "Marshall For All" initiative, designed to ease financial burdens for aspiring engineers from West Virginia and encourage them to pursue careers in engineering. This initiative seeks to nurture local talent amid a growing demand for engineers.

Adam Krason, principal and architect at ZMM Architects and Engineers, stated: “We are proud to invest in future engineers through this scholarship fund and support President Smith’s vision of ‘Marshall for All.’” He added that the scholarship aims to alleviate financial burdens for West Virginia students while fostering a new generation of skilled professionals who will contribute to regional growth.

ZMM Architects and Engineers was founded in 1959 and is recognized as a leading architecture and engineering firm in the region. The firm employs over 65 professionals across operations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. It has received 24 American Institute of Architects (AIA) West Virginia Chapter Design Awards since 2005.

Krason expressed gratitude for those who enabled this contribution: “We are able to make this contribution because of the opportunities afforded to us by our clients and the dedication of the ZMM team.”

Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, expressed appreciation for ZMM's support: “We are immensely grateful to ZMM Architects and Engineers for their generous support toward our engineering program.” He emphasized that this partnership will help ensure more students can succeed regardless of financial constraints.

The "Marshall For All" program allows students at Marshall University to combine scholarships, grants, work opportunities, and family contributions to earn their bachelor's degree without needing student loans. To qualify, students must complete a FAFSA annually and commit to actions such as graduating on time.

The program was announced by President Brad D. Smith in 2022 and launched last fall with first-year West Virginians and metro area students. It aims to relieve student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.

Scholarship recipients must be full-time students in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences who reside in West Virginia. Preference is given to those who have completed or plan internships with ZMM. The award is renewable up to four years if recipients maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

For more information about the scholarship, contact Marshall University's Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.